BP man charged in attempted robbery

Stacy Langley

Published 1:13 pm, Monday, April 25, 2016

Huron County Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner charged Jason James Gremel with a felony charge of assault with intent to rob while armed.

Gremel was taken into custody after police allege he attempted to rob a clerk at Grant Grocery, formerly known as Jansen's Party Store, located at the corner of Sebewaing and Elkton roads, around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by Gaertner, police investigating the incident allege Gremel entered Grant Grocery wearing a black and white Halloween mask, carrying a claw hammer and a plastic bag. Once inside the store he confronted the clerk, demanding money while raising the hammer. The clerk refused to hand over any money and grabbed a snow shovel that was leaning against the wall and exited the store. He then waited by the pickup truck Gremel was driving and confronted him when he left the store.

The press release states the clerk tried to get the license plate number and even grabbed the license plate that was in the back window of the pickup truck. When Gremel demanded the license plate back, the clerk threw the plate at him. As Gremel left the parking lot, the clerk called 9-1-1 to report the incident.

As Gremel left the scene police report he threw several items out the passenger side window of the truck. Gaertner alleges that Gremel tossed a hammer, Halloween mask, plastic bag and a shirt he was wearing at the time of the robbery attempt out the window and into the ditch.

During Thursday's arraignment Gremel was appointed attorney David B. Herrington to represent him. His bond was set at $20,000 cash. He remains lodged in the Huron County Jail. He's scheduled to appear again in district court at 8:30 a.m. July 21. If convicted of assault with intent to rob while armed, Gremel faces a possible sentence of up to life in prison.

Gaertner added that Gremel is believed to be linked to several home invasions in the Fairhaven Township area over the past several weeks. Those home invasions remain under investigation by the Huron County Sheriff's Office.